It hasn't been - until now - depending on which city you live in.
They call it outreach to the LGBTQ community. Really? Quoting Ru Paul, I say "What community?"
I wasn't aware of the fact the Franciscans of Holy Name Province at St. Anthony Shrine in Boston set up a booth at Boston Pride... with a banner "Who am I to judge?"
That's not what Pride is about.
Pride began as a political movement, latching onto the Civil Rights/Feminist movement. Participation at these public events suggests - indeed, symbolizes - approval and support of the Gay movement and all that it entails.
Everyone who lives in Boston knows where St. Anthony's shrine is. The friars are already in the heart of the city, they already minister on the existential peripheries. Supporting Gay Pride is not what I would call compassionate pastoral ministry.
Nevertheless, increasing numbers of people today, even within the Church, are bringing enormous pressure to bear on the Church to accept the homosexual condition as though it were not disordered and to condone homosexual activity. Those within the Church who argue in this fashion often have close ties with those with similar views outside it. These latter groups are guided by a vision opposed to the truth about the human person, which is fully disclosed in the mystery of Christ. They reflect, even if not entirely consciously, a materialistic ideology which denies the transcendent nature of the human person as well as the supernatural vocation of every individual.
The Church's ministers must ensure that homosexual persons in their care will not be misled by this point of view, so profoundly opposed to the teaching of the Church. But the risk is great and there are many who seek to create confusion regarding the Church's position, and then to use that confusion to their own advantage.
9. The movement within the Church, which takes the form of pressure groups of various names and sizes, attempts to give the impression that it represents all homosexual persons who are Catholics. As a matter of fact, its membership is by and large restricted to those who either ignore the teaching of the Church or seek somehow to undermine it. It brings together under the aegis of Catholicism homosexual persons who have no intention of abandoning their homosexual behaviour. One tactic used is to protest that any and all criticism of or reservations about homosexual people, their activity and lifestyle, are simply diverse forms of unjust discrimination.
There is an effort in some countries to manipulate the Church by gaining the often well-intentioned support of her pastors with a view to changing civil-statutes and laws. This is done in order to conform to these pressure groups' concept that homosexuality is at least a completely harmless, if not an entirely good, thing. Even when the practice of homosexuality may seriously threaten the lives and well-being of a large number of people, its advocates remain undeterred and refuse to consider the magnitude of the risks involved. - Letter to Bishops, CDF
Yeah, but! It's pastoral care, pastoral outreach.
The Catechism says gay people "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."
That's right Poodle. It doesn't say a thing about marching in parades and promoting gay as good and/or as equal to heterosexuality. When you buy into LGBTQ you buy into the whole package. It's heretical and immoral, and it's a millstone around your neck.
| "Departure from the Church's teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral." |
15. We encourage the Bishops, then, to provide pastoral care in full accord with the teaching of the Church for homosexual persons of their dioceses. No authentic pastoral programme will include organizations in which homosexual persons associate with each other without clearly stating that homosexual activity is immoral. A truly pastoral approach will appreciate the need for homosexual persons to avoid the near occasions of sin. We would heartily encourage programmes where these dangers are avoided. But we wish to make it clear that departure from the Church's teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral. Only what is true can ultimately be pastoral. The neglect of the Church's position prevents homosexual men and women from receiving the care they need and deserve. - Letter to Bishops* |
* Incidentally, the CDF Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexuals was composed by the future Pope Benedict XVI, who never added or detracted from it during his papacy - nor has the current CDF or Pope Francis repudiated it. Likewise, St. John Paul II authorized and signed off on it. Though often overlooked and ignored - if not derided - it remains a definitive document on the pastoral care of homosexual persons.
Boston Pride mocking Catholic nuns.
The picture of those silly men mocking Nuns...are they parading in front of a cemetery? Looks like it from behind the spectators. I hope it is a cemetery since if we choose death over life, then surely death awaits us all.
ReplyDeleteYaya - I can't be sure where it is exactly - don't know the parade route, but it could be near the StateHouse/Common, and there is a colonial cemetery near there.
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